Teens today rely on very few things more than that of a wireless connection. Everywhere you turn, they’re exchanging photos and videos, streaks and Snapchats. We live in a world that is more connected than ever before, yet still so DIS-connected from the one thing that matters most: A connection with Jesus.
Prayer is the world’s greatest wireless connection.
And most adults would agree, they’d rather their teens be connecting with Jesus than with predators on social media.
So when widespread DEBATE broke out over this group of high schoolers praying before their meal on the way to prom, I was genuinely concerned about the world we are living in.
Frank Somerville, a journalist at KTVU in Oakland, California, often shares heartwarming stories on his Facebook page — many of which are submitted to him.
On Tuesday, Somerville posted a picture sent to him by a woman named Noelle Smith.
“So impressed with these young people on their prom date at Longhorn,” Smith wrote. “They all said Grace before eating and were all well behaved.”
“I want to share a picture of my daughter and her friends from prom night,” she added with the photo. “Now with the stories today about teenagers and tide pods and condoms gathering headlines—this picture speaks for itself.”
And it does.
Older generations have historically looked down on newer generations based on their negatives instead of their highlight reel. We tend to be bitter about those preceding us, rather than coming alongside them and lifting them up. We often don’t cheer on their success but point out their shortcomings.
But this, this picture, and this beautiful group of young people praying is a generational representation of we can all get behind.
Or so I thought.